Gov’t to Provide More COVID-19 Isolation Centers: Health Minister

Minister of Health delivers statement in a press conference after a Limited Cabinet Meeting in Jakarta, Monday (14/9). Photo by: PR/Ibrahim.

In a bid to provide more isolation centers for COVID-19 patients, the Government works hand in hand with several hotel groups, Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto has said.

“We work with the Accor Hotel network, Novotel, Ibis, as well as Tauzia, Harris and others. The number of hotels can be increased to 15-30 hotels if necessary,” the Minister said in a press conference after a Limited Cabinet Meeting in Jakarta, Monday (14/9).

The Government, he added, continues to provide more isolation centers for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms or without symptoms.

Terawan also said that the Government also provides two towers at the Kemayoran Athletes Village for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.

“The Tower 6 has 1,746 beds, 888 of which are occupied. Meanwhile, Tower 7 has 2,472 beds and only 749 of them are occupied. For the asymptomatic patients, we provide towers 4 and 5,” the Minister said.

Terawan went on to say that the Government also provides 326 rooms in Health Training Centers (Bapelkes) in Jakarta and Ciloto, with a capacity of 653 patients. The Government also provides more rooms in other Bapelkes in Batam, Semarang, and Makassar.

Terawan said that as of 13 September 2020, there are still 1,088 beds available for patients with moderate symptoms in Jakarta.

“In the next few days, 1,022 beds will be added. Meanwhile, to treat COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, there are 115 available ICU beds, and in the next few days we will add 138 beds,” the Minister said.

In controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, Terawan added, the Government continues to make its best efforts to increase the recovery rate. As of 13 September, the average active case in Indonesia is 25.02% or slightly higher than the world’s average active cases of 24.78%.

“The number of recovered patients was 155,010, with 71% recovery rate, slightly lower than the global recovery rate of 72%,” the Minister said.

The Government, according to the Minister, also makes its best effort to reduce the mortality rate, which has decreased from 4.49% to 3.99% although still slightly higher than the global mortality rate of 3.18%.

The Minister further said that 16,286 total volunteers and internships have been deployed in hospitals and health laboratories to support the COVID-19 handling.

At the end of his statement, the Minister called on the public to always comply with health protocols, including wearing facemasks, keeping a safe distance, and washing hands. (MAY/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani